I was testing all the levels in my tank, and everything is great but my ph. the ph in my tank and at the tap are both 8.0. Right now there are six zebra danios in the tank, and I know 8 is way too high for them. Should I add something to the tank to lower the ph, and make my fish happier?

It's best not to use chemicals to adjust the pH. It will cause crashes and stress the fish. Drift/Bogwood is your best choice if you do want to lower the pH.

00ej8

08-30-2007 10:18 AM

petco carries it, right? I'm going there today to exchange a DOA biowheel filter, I'll get some so I can get this ph a little lower.

leifthebunny

08-30-2007 04:53 PM

Not sure, I got mine from an LFS. Be sure to thoroughly clean the driftwood before putting it itno the tank. You probably should let the wood soak for a week or two to leech some of the tanins out. It will stain your water, but it won't hurt the fish.

sean117Ply

08-31-2007 05:01 AM

8.0 you should invest in some Tanganyikan cichlids they would love it.

00ej8

08-31-2007 05:39 AM

Would they do okay in a 20g? I always thought there weren't many cichlids I could keep in a 20 gallon tank.

Lupin

08-31-2007 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00ej8

Would they do okay in a 20g? I always thought there weren't many cichlids I could keep in a 20 gallon tank.

Yes. Only one of the few cichlids that will be fine in the 20 gallons. Other options are kribensis, apistogrammas and blue rams.

00ej8

08-31-2007 07:29 AM

Well I'm still planning on getting a blue ram if I can find one. I'm waiting until the tank is well established, though.

Would a male/female pair be a bad idea?

Lupin

08-31-2007 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00ej8

Well I'm still planning on getting a blue ram if I can find one. I'm waiting until the tank is well established, though.

Would a male/female pair be a bad idea?

A pair is okay. Tetras would be the best tankmates. Be careful with the rams you picked. Ask your lfs for the source as a lot of rams are pumped with hormones making them rather fragile.:roll:

Andyandsue

09-01-2007 08:22 PM

I also have a 8.0 pH and have never altered it and my fish are fine. I do have fairly hardy species and do a drip acclimation with any new fish though. Stay away from pH chemicals. It causes too many shifts in parameters.

My PetSmart only had driftwood for hermit crabs. I boiled the heck out of it, literally for hours and hours, and it still tea-stained my water. Some people really like it, but I didn't like the way it looked. I did a very slow removal of it and the water is back to the way it was. pH at 8.